MRSA case leads to VBT warning to public who received EMS care

When a Van Buren Township fire fighter developed MRSA after treating a patient with the communicable disease, VBT issued a warning to the public who received emergency medical services from March 2 through April 5.
VBT recommends that anyone who has received emergency medical service from township fire fighters between these dates and exhibits a skin rash seek medical attention.
On March 2 while responding to a call, fire fighters assisted a resident who revealed she had an active case of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.
Following this incident, the staff documented the MRSA contact and reported it to the Wayne County Health Department.
Subsequently, one of the fire fighters who responded to the March 2 call for emergency medical service developed a classic sore and sought medical attention. On April 5, the sore was confirmed to be MRSA.
VBT Fire Chief Dan Besson immediately notified all fire personnel who had been in contact with this fire fighter. Fire stations were immediately scheduled to be professionally cleaned by a contracted company that uses EPA-approved anti-bacterial cleanser that has a specific disinfectant cleaner for MRSA.
Chief Besson said while this is an isolated MRSA case at this point, given the length of time between the initial contact and the diagnosis, VBT is taking precaution and notifying the public.
Given the close contact public safety personnel have with the frequently health-compromised general public, infectious or otherwise communicable diseases are inherent, but staff works carefully to ensure safety, he said.
For more information on MRSA, see www.CDC.gov/MRSA/prevent/personal.html, or contact the Wayne County Health Department at 734-727-7100.